Reforming Branches of Government 
By:  Kyle Stumpf

Project at a Glance :

This project is for an 11th/12th grade AP Government class.  The unit focuses on the four branches of government (legislative, executive, judiciary and bureaucracy).  This will give them a chance to analyze the four branches of government at a national/state/local level.   

       
Driving Question:

How can we reform one of the branches of government (legislative, executive, judiciary, bureaucracy) to better connect citizens to our national government?      

Standards:

• Analyze the role that the four branches play in our society.  Build off of earlier lessons on what makes a good citizen and how do they interact with the government. Also, tie back into previous lessons on linkage institutions.  As the weeks progress, hopefully critical thinking, collaboration and teamwork grow. 

Team / Culture Building

• Value Cards 
• Flippity to randomize teams or place them together based on values they share.

Entry Event:

• Use the American Relics class activity and discussion.  ​​

Stakeholders:

• Members of the community
• Government workers of the four branches at the national, state and local level.

Empathy Building:

• Stakeholder Map​

Inquiry / Need to Knows:

• Have the students rewrite the driving question, specially since it will have the word government in it twice.  
• Circulation during work time with daily check ins as well to ensure groups are on task and uncovering the correct information.  ​

Incubation:

• Idea Quota - generate 100 solution ideas in 8 minutes.​

Checking in:

• Daily check ins on protocols and progress.   
• SWOT Analysis

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Solution Building:

•  3 - 12 - 3 protocol
• Saturate and Group activity
•  $100 Test 

Critique and Revision: 

• NUF Tests done by each individual within a group then group discussion on the real critiques and revisions that need to happen based on the NUF results. 
  
• Critical Friends with another group before a pitchout is a great way to gain feedback as well.  ​​

Authentic Audience:

• Government officials
• Community stakeholders like non profits, agencies, etc. that help people in the community in a variety of ways.

Final Presentation:

• Students presented their solution to the class.

Click here for teacher's full plan.

Feedback:

• Use the Feedback form developed by Jenison Social Studies teachers for their PBL projects.
• What I liked/What I would like to do better next time.​

​Reflection:
​      "Your students look very engaged! What exactly are you doing?" ~ Jenison Teacher
 
      "I prefer work like this compared to just sitting through a lecture every for two weeks." ~ HS Student 

Click here for the teacher's Journey through PBL on Padlet . . .

Meet the Educator:

Kyle Stumpf teaches  AP Government and U.S. Government teacher at Jenison HIgh School.  

     "PBL helps develop problem solving and communication skills while giving students an opportunity to practice critical thinking in real world situations.  Our students are the leaders of tomorrow and PBL helps develop them into better leaders.  I am thankful for opportunities like PBL that help shape the future of our country."